This guitar is in fine condition showing only small signs of having been played
– a few indications
of body contact, a few minor scratches and scuffs on the top, back and sides,
nothing horrible, and virtually no sign of use on the back of the neck. This
model is made to perfection by some of the best 12-string guitar builders
extant. It has an abalone soundhole rosette with a tasteful black purfling
line on each side of the “ab,” an ebony “wing-ed” style pinless bridge, an ebony
fingerboard and polished ebony peghead overlay, a 25.5” scale length. We have
always loved the sound of the Breedlove 12-string -- especially the walnut ones,
and for easy playability and the most sound one can expect from a jewel this
jangly, nothing brightens one’s mood better than a Breedlove.
This jumbo body, soft cutaway guitar
has a gloriously figured walnut back and sides and a close and parallel grained
Sitka spruce
top, replete with
cross-silking (medullary rays). Tuners are mini-Grover Rotomatic tuners in
chrome plate, a strap pin has been inserted in aftermarket (the afterlife) on
the treble side of the heel. As we said but apparently cannot overstate, the
instrument overall shows normal light signs of use and wear including scratches
and dings. Each of its sides are bound in black plastic, the back of the neck
is one piece of carved (and beautiful) mahogany. The pointy headstock has the
“flying B” that represents “Breedlove” against a glossy black background and
then a matte finish stylized ebony truss rod cover held by one screw. The ebony
fingerboard, which is likely bound in polished ebony on both sides, has art deco
pattern consisting of small mother of pearl dotmarker inlays – 5 on the bass
side of the board and 4 on the treble – the treble side pattern picking up at
the 12th fret which has, as one would expect, two dots. We are happy
to report that the bridge saddle (possibly Tusq) is high and fully adjustable,
while the action is low and a pleasure to play. This is a guitar for a
discerning musician who seeks to use a 12-string to its best and highest effect
– the tintinnabulation of the bells, bells, bells – the rhyming and the chiming
of the bells – as said Ed, Gear, Al and Poe and arranged spectacularly for music
by Phil Ochs.